SHORT TAKES
April 2, 1997 | |
| Biotechnology Grant Boosts Undergraduate Research Opportunities | Biotechnology - it lurks in FBI forensics laboratories, used by agents trying to crack criminal homicide cases. It permeates modern vineyard operations striving to improve wine preservation. It's been used to produce pharmaceuticals and by physicians to fight diseases.
This fall biology students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will be able to gain a clearer understanding of molecular biology - the basis of biotechnology - thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Mapco Foundation for state-of-the-art equipment. Until recently, techniques used to study molecular biology have been difficult, expensive and hazardous, but new technology has improved the safety and lowered the cost of making the world of DNA structure - the core of molecular biology - visible to undergraduate students. With the new equipment, students will be able to witness the basic elements of molecular biology. "These laboratory activities allow students to experience, rather than just hear about, molecular biology," said UAF wildlife and biology professor Mark Oswood . Contact: Mark Oswood, Biology and Wildlife, (907) 474-7972. |
| Guide Brings UAF Experts from the Classroom to the Community | Having trouble figuring out just what that thing that hangs down in the back of your throat is called? Can't find the second derivative of X? Want to wow your friends with low-light photo imaging of the aurora, but don't know what film to use? Just call the experts - the University of Alaska Fairbanks faculty and staff - for the answers.
The UAF 1997 Experts Guide is a comprehensive listing of faculty and staff specializing in hundreds of subjects. New to the guide this year is a special reference section of science fair judges and mentors. It provides elementary and secondary teachers with 31 potential judges specializing in everything from ecosystem ecology to ice physics. The 1997 Expert's Guide is designed to provide quick reference to university academics for legislators, reporters, government officials, school teachers and community businesses. By the way, the thing at the back of your throat? It's an uvula. Contact: L.J. Evans, UAF University Relations, (907) 474-7581. |
| Radio Program Reaches Global Audience | In 1995 Doug Schneider huddled over a microphone in a cramped room at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Surrounded by miles of wires and awkward black boxes, he recorded the first Arctic Science Journeys (ASJ) radio program. Two years later ASJ has made a significant journey - from a tiny office on College Hill to the homes of over 100 million listeners across the globe.
For the second year in a row, ASJ's writer/producer Schneider and host/reporter Debra Damron have been recognized in national media competitions. The program earned three silver awards in news, features and regular programming this year out of a field of 474 entries submitted to the Agricultural Communicators in Education. Created to boost coverage of science, culture, health and related issues affecting Alaska and the Arctic. ASJ is now broadcast on two dozen Alaska stations and several thousand radio stations worldwide through the Voice of America, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., and Earthwatch Radio. Contact: Doug Schneider, Alaska Sea Grant, (907) 474-7449. |
| Alaska Native Students Benefit from Pipeline Scholarships | Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. is funding a new scholarship program for Alaska Native students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The Troth Yeddha Scholarship Program derives its name from an Athabaskan Indian word meaning "from every village they come." UAF's Rural Student Services will award five Alyeska scholarships of $1,000 each for the fall 1997 semester for qualified Alaska Native students. Recipients must be Alaska Native and currently enrolled full-time students in good academic standing and who are interested in careers with Alyeska. Troth Yeddha scholarship packets are available at Rural Student Services. Applications are due April 15. Contact: Birdie Hendrickson, Rural Student Services, (907) 474-7871. |
| Communications Junior Presents Project at National Conference | UAF junior Victoria Cramer presented a project which outlines communication theories relating to substance abuse issues at the University of Oklahoma Sooner Communication Conference
March 22. Partial funding for the trip was provided by the UAF Communication Club, the Department of Communication and the Chancellor's Society, a fund established by private donations to the university for academic endeavors. Contact: Pamela McWherter, Communications Dept., (907) 474-7405. |
| Math Students Match Mental Muscle in Modeling Contest | University of Alaska Fairbanks students Gordon Bower, Orion Lawlor and James Long were named outstanding winners in the 1997 Mathematical Contest in Modeling. The UAF trio matched mental muscle against 408 teams in the annual competition.
Eight other teams were recognized as outstanding winners, including teams from Harvard University, University of Toronto and the East China Institute of Science and Technology. Contact: Pat Lambert, UAF Mathematics Professor, (907) 474-5105. |
JCS/4-2-97/97-070